Manufacturing costs are just the start. Support costs have to be factored in also—lots of issues come up with removable storage.

I expect another reason is that they want to leave an option to add essentially identical models in the future with different memory specs to achieve different price points and profit margins, like Apple does with iPod Touch. But they want to sell the #*$& out of this one first.

I expect another reason is that they want to leave an option to add essentially identical models in the future with different memory specs to achieve different price points and profit margins, like Apple does with iPod Touch. But they want to sell the #*$& out of this one first.

They'll sell a lot of them, but lack of a card slot means I won't be one of those buyers.

We use one for our portable DVD player to amuse my grandson on long trips and it works great. Most of the time it sits in a drawer, but we do use it a few times a year and those times make it well worth the price and trouble to carry an extra device.

I think the OP raises a good point. I'd prefer to see something with a longer battery life. I don't think 8 hours is horrible, but it's not great either.

I'm still on the fence in trying to decide if I should buy one. However, I have to say that the battery life isn't my biggest concern. I'd like to use it for browsing the web, and the 7" is my biggest concern. Yet, at $200 it is certainly priced right.

Go for it! I have high hopes for this device. (unless of course you want to wait on the big 10" available next year).